菲
humble gift/drink; thin; ancient vegetable
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesnoun
radish-like vegetable (ancient)
archaicAn archaic usage, rarely seen in modern Chinese outside of classical texts.
The Book of Songs records many types of radish-like vegetables.
Ancient farmers often used radish-like vegetables as their main autumn and winter crop.
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The fei mentioned in ancient books has a similar shape to modern radishes.
Recipes from the pre-Qin period record cooking methods for fei vegetables.
Archaeological findings show that ancient people indeed used fei as a daily food ingredient.
adjective
humble; meager; thin
honorificAlmost exclusively used in polite, formal contexts as a self-deprecating modifier for gifts, meals, or offerings.
I have prepared a modest meal; I hope you will honor us with your presence.
This humble gift is a small token of my regard; please accept it.
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My meager skills and limited talent dare not be shown in front of my seniors.
Thank you all for coming to my modest banquet.
This is just my modest effort, not worth mentioning.